Alert archive / Texas / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 12, NWS San Angelo, TX

May 17, 2021Sterling County, Texas

NWS San Angelo, TX issued this tornado warning at May 17, 2021, 7:19 PM CDT for Sterling County, Texas. It was in force for 41 min. 4 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
May 17, 2021, 7:19 PM CDT (00:19 UTC)
Expired
May 17, 2021, 8:00 PM CDT
In force
41 min
Issued by
NWS San Angelo, TX
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Observed
Damage threat
Considerable
Hail
1.0 in

County Sterling County, TX

The radar

The San Angelo radar (KSJT), 91 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:21 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 17, 7:36 PM CDTTORNADO14 Nnw Sterling City, TXSTORM CHASER VIDEOTAPED TORNADO AT 7:36 PM.
May 17, 7:40 PM CDTHAIL 2.7512 N Sterling City, TXSTORM CHASER REPORTED BASEBALL SIZE HAIL.
May 17, 7:47 PM CDTTORNADO13 N Sterling City, TXA NWS SURVEY TEAM FOUND EVIDENCE OF EF1 DAMAGE AT THE GAS PLANT AS IT THREW A DUMPSTER FOR 300 YARDS AND A LARGE CONIX BUILDING ABOUT 50 YARDS. IT BENT ONE OF THE TOWERS OF THE PLANT AND SNAPPED A TELEPHONE POLE. THIS IS JUST ONE POINT ON THE PATH AND FURTHER
May 17, 7:47 PM CDTTORNADO14 N Sterling City, TXSTERLING COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE REPORTED DAMAGE TO A GAS PLANT ABOUT 14 MILES NORTH OF STERLING CITY ALONG HIGHWAY 163. THERE WERE ALSO MULTIPLE EYEWITNESS REPORTS OF THIS TORNADO FROM STORM CHASERS.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 17, 3:04 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Midland Regional, TX (KMAF), launched 00:00Z, 0.3 hours before the alert went out and 107 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Midland Regional, TX at 00:00Z on 2021-05-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 953 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Midland Regional, TX at 00:00Z on 2021-05-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 5 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
953 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-44 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1920 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
25 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
5 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
36 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

831 
WFUS54 KSJT 180019
TORSJT
TXC431-180100-
/O.NEW.KSJT.TO.W.0012.210518T0019Z-210518T0100Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service San Angelo TX
719 PM CDT Mon May 17 2021

The National Weather Service in San Angelo has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northern Sterling County in west central Texas...

* Until 800 PM CDT.

* At 717 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado 
  was located 13 miles northwest of Sterling City, moving southeast 
  at 20 mph.

  This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

  HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

  SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

  IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris 
           may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile 
           homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
           businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete 
           destruction is possible.

* This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
  northern Sterling County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

A large and extremely dangerous tornado is on the ground. Take
immediate tornado precautions. This is an emergency situation.

&&

LAT...LON 3209 10121 3209 10096 3206 10085 3185 10096
      3197 10124
TIME...MOT...LOC 0017Z 302DEG 19KT 3203 10114 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

KB
3 follow-up statements
717 
WWUS54 KSJT 180029
SVSSJT

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service San Angelo TX
729 PM CDT Mon May 17 2021

TXC431-180100-
/O.CON.KSJT.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-210518T0100Z/
Sterling TX-
729 PM CDT Mon May 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN
STERLING COUNTY...
        
At 728 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was 
located 10 miles northwest of Sterling City, moving east at 25 mph. 

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
northern Sterling County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

A large and extremely dangerous tornado is on the ground. take
immediate tornado precautions. this is an emergency situation.

&&

LAT...LON 3209 10114 3209 10096 3206 10085 3185 10096
      3195 10119
TIME...MOT...LOC 0028Z 291DEG 21KT 3202 10108 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

KB
873 
WWUS54 KSJT 180038
SVSSJT

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service San Angelo TX
738 PM CDT Mon May 17 2021

TXC431-180100-
/O.CON.KSJT.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-210518T0100Z/
Sterling TX-
738 PM CDT Mon May 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN STERLING COUNTY...
    
At 736 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was 
located 10 miles northwest Sterling City, moving east at 20 mph. 

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
northeastern Sterling County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

A large and extremely dangerous tornado is on the ground. take
immediate tornado precautions. this is an emergency situation.

&&

LAT...LON 3209 10110 3209 10096 3206 10085 3190 10094
      3198 10114
TIME...MOT...LOC 0036Z 275DEG 17KT 3203 10105 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL...1.50IN

$$
653 
WWUS54 KSJT 180046
SVSSJT

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service San Angelo TX
746 PM CDT Mon May 17 2021

TXC431-180100-
/O.CON.KSJT.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-210518T0100Z/
Sterling TX-
746 PM CDT Mon May 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN STERLING COUNTY...
    
At 744 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was 
located 10 miles northwest of Sterling City, moving east at 20 mph. 

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
northeastern Sterling County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3209 10104 3209 10096 3206 10085 3194 10092
      3201 10108
TIME...MOT...LOC 0044Z 275DEG 16KT 3202 10103 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL...1.50IN

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS San Angelo, TX issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 17, 7:06 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedSJTSterling39 min
May 17, 7:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSJTFisher, Nolan66 min
May 17, 7:46 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTHaskell44 min
May 17, 7:55 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threatSJTSterling50 min
May 17, 8:06 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningSJTNolan3 hr
May 17, 8:22 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTJones53 min
May 17, 8:35 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTNolan55 min
May 17, 8:40 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisorySJTFisher, Haskell, Jones, Throckmorton2 hr
May 17, 8:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSJTCoke, Sterling36 min
May 17, 8:48 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTThrockmorton57 min
May 17, 9:00 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTShackelford45 min
May 17, 9:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSJTShackelford, Throckmorton32 min
May 17, 9:09 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisorySJTCoke, Jones, Nolan, Shackelford, Taylor111 min
May 17, 9:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSJTCoke, Nolan, Runnels, Taylor64 min
May 17, 9:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSJTCallahan, Jones, Shackelford, Taylor51 min
May 17, 9:54 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTCallahan51 min
May 17, 10:03 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTRunnels42 min
May 17, 10:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSJTCoke38 min
May 17, 10:52 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTBrown, Coleman38 min
May 18, 12:41 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTTom Green49 min
May 18, 1:08 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSJTConcho, Tom Green52 min
May 18, 1:36 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTFisher24 min
May 18, 1:38 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTJones37 min
May 18, 1:50 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSJTFisher25 min
May 18, 1:56 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTRunnels34 min
May 18, 1:59 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSJTConcho, Tom Green46 min
May 18, 2:00 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisorySJTConcho, Tom Green2 hr
May 18, 2:11 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSJTFisher, Jones38 min
May 18, 2:21 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTBrown24 min
May 18, 2:49 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTConcho26 min
May 18, 3:09 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisorySJTFisher, Jones3 hr
May 18, 4:01 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningSJTFisher, Jones3 hr
May 18, 4:18 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSJTIrion, Sterling, Tom Green57 min
May 18, 4:25 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTBrown35 min
May 18, 4:27 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisorySJTCrockett, Irion, Sterling, Tom Green2 hr
May 18, 5:03 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTBrown42 min
May 18, 5:03 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSJTCoke, Irion, Sterling, Tom Green57 min
May 18, 5:16 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisorySJTCoke, Irion, Sterling, Tom Green3 hr
May 18, 6:07 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTConcho38 min
May 18, 6:39 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisorySJTConcho, Menard, Schleicher, Tom Green3 hr
May 18, 6:49 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTConcho26 min
May 18, 7:15 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTMcCulloch45 min
May 18, 7:30 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisorySJTSchleicher3 hr
May 18, 8:10 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTSutton50 min
May 18, 9:05 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTSutton40 min
May 18, 10:54 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSJTMason36 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Texas, 2021Every tornado warning in 2021Tornadoes in 2021

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.